Objective To summarize the research and development of vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology. Methods The recent l iterature concerning vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology at home and abroad was extensively reviewed and the research and development were summarized. Results Tissue engineering providesan ideal material as the inner tissue in vaginalplasty. The reconstructed tissue closely resembles native vaginal tissue in the cellular organization and physical properties. The cl inical use of the tissue engineered vagina in vaginoplasty can not be harmful to an organism, and the neovagina has sufficient length and depth. However, the long-term follow-up is needed. Conclusion Vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology may have good application prospects, but further research is required.
Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of two types of vaginoplasty. Methods From January 1996 to March 2005, 63 patients wih the congenital absence of the vagina were treated by two types of vaginoplasty. Of the 63 patients, 37 underwent vaginoplasty using the amnion and 26 underwent an improved laparoscopic Vecchitti operation. The durations ofthe operation and hospitalization, as well as the blood loss were compared between the two types of vaginoplasty. The vaginal moulds were improved during the operations. Results According to the follow-up for 2 months to 4 years in the 35 patients. Compared with vaginoplasty using the amnion, vaginoplasty by an improved laparoscopic Vecchitti operation had advantages of significantly shorter surgical duration, shorter hospitalization, and less blood loss (Plt;0.05). After the operations, the artificial vagina of all the 63 patients could hold a speculum and the mucosa appeared so soft and smooth with normal lubrication. The married patients were satisfied with the intercourse. However, after vaginoplasty using the amnion, an infection of the amnion occurred in 3 patients, scar contracture in 2 patients, one of whom underwent scar incision 13 months after operation with a success; but the other refuse to accept another operation. But the improved laparoscopic Vecchitti operation achieved a success in the patients without any infectionor scar contracture, according to the 2 month-2.5 years follow-up. Conclusion The improved laparoscopic Vecchitti operation is a preferred procedure of constructing a vagina for the patients suffering from the congenital absence of the vagina.
OBJECTIVE: To select a satisfactory surgical approach in vaginoplasty with minimum injury and maximum effectiveness. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 1998, 86 cases of congenital absence of vagina were treated by three types of vaginoplasty, using abdominal skin graft, fetal skin graft and vulvar-inguinal skin flap respectively. The duration of operation and hospitalization, the wound healing of donor site, as well as the moist sensation of the artificial vagina and the sexual life quality were compared among the three types of vaginoplasty. RESULTS: Compared with those by abdominal skin graft and vulvar-inguinal skin flaps, the vaginoplasty by fetal skin graft had the shortest surgical duration (P lt; 0.01); the duration of hospitalization with fetal skin grafting was shorter than that of abdominal skin grafting (P lt; 0.01) but almost the same as that of vulvar-inguinal skin transferring (P gt; 0.05). The fetal skin grafting had minimum injury. Moreover, artificial vagina by fetal skin grafting had the best moist sensation and the most satisfactory sexual life quality (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: In view of the minimum injury and maximum mimic of nature vagina, the vaginoplasty by fetal skin graft is the most ideal approach among the three types of vaginoplasty investigated in this trial.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with autologous buccal micro mucosa and micro skin graft in vaginoplasty. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 67 patients with vaginal agenesis treated between July 2006 and June 2013. ADM and mixed particles were used in 20 cases (ADM group) and mixed particles graft in 47 cases (control group) in vaginoplasty. There was no significant difference in age between 2 groups (t=0.233, P=0.816). The depth, diameter, and volume of neovagina, epithelization time, stent needing time, and female sexual function index (FSFI) score were compared between 2 groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time and amount of bleeding between 2 groups (t=-1.922, P=0.059; t=0.398, P=0.692). The patients were followed up 11-38 months (mean, 16.08 months). Fifteen cases in ADM group and 29 cases in control group had sexual life after operation. Bleeding after operation occurred in 6 cases (2 in ADM group and 4 in control group). No stenosis was observed. Difference in epithelization time was not statistically significant (t=-1.938, P=0.057). However, the stent needing time of ADM group was significantly shorter than that of control group (t=7.020, P=0.000). The neovagina was ideal in wetness degree, smoothness, flexibility, and hairlessness during follow-up. The depth, diameter, and volume of vagina had no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05) at last follow-up, which were close to normal vagina. The other patients had normal sexual function except 1 patient whose FSFI score was less than 23; no statistically significant difference was found in FSFI score between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionOn the basis of mixed particles grafting, the ADM could improve trestle structure for resisting contracture. The effectiveness is better than merely mixed particles graft. The procedure has satisfactory anatomical and functional results.